EU representatives, the Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development, Neven Mimica, and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, gave their support to Afghanistan on Wednesday 28 November. The first one financially and the second one by talking about support for a possible peace process.
Thus, on the margins of the Geneva conference on Afghanistan, Mr Mimica announced a new financial envelope of 474 million euros. Of these funds, 311 million euros will support the country's reform agenda, including public sector reform and the fight against corruption; basic service delivery and public financial management. 31 million will support justice reform. An ad hoc instrument of 15.5 million euros will support the presidential and provincial council elections in 2019.
The EU has pledged 37 million euros to help the Afghan government address migration and forced displacement challenges. Finally, it has allocated 80 million euros to improve the health and nutrition of the population.
At the conference, Ms Mogherini reiterated the importance of a genuine peace process. “By the time the talks begin, the parties should already have full and well-coordinated international support”, she said. And the EU would not be left behind, saying it was ready to “make a concrete contribution, with all our instruments, to support a meaningful peace process and agreement”. The High Representative listed the possibilities for support, including a role as a guarantor of the peace process for the EU.
Assistance would also include support for the inclusiveness of the peace process, assistance with reforms that may result from a peace agreement or work with repentant people to find a new place in society. Finally, the EU is considering supporting economic and infrastructure development.
"We believe that this is the moment to begin serious peace talks[...] On the European Union's side, we are ready: as a facilitator; as a reliable provider of incentives; as a partner of all countries in the region; as a force for peace and cooperation; and, most importantly, as a reliable friend of the Afghan people”, she concluded. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)